I'd imagine there might be some NYers here who could say a bit more about him than I can. Suffice to say, I, along with many others outside the city, knew him as a colorful character, thought to epitomize the character of his city. Coincidentally enough, it briefly crossed my mind a few hours ago that he had once hosted SNL, back before it was considered normal for politicians to do that sort of thing.

He was also portrayed, rather sympathetically, as a semi-closeted gay ex-mayor in the art-porn movie Shortbus a few years back. The scene had the character discussing allegations that he didn't do enough to stop the spread of AIDS in the 80s.